Regional Operations & Strategic Development Manager

REGIONAL OPERATIONS & STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Our client is a leading Saudi Group with an outstanding reputation across the region within diverse business areas. They represent world famous 5 star hotel names for the Saudi market where they are developing strong expansion plans for 2014.

We are looking for an experienced senior Strategic Manager to lead the team in a Regional Operations & Strategic Development Manager role based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The role is focused on two parts. The first being looking after the current hotels from a Regional Operations Manager perspective; working with senior Hotel Managers and making sure all operations, systems and standards are maintained. The second is a strategic role focused on identifying opportunities to build new hotels; know the growth markets and locations, and decide where is a good place to build a new site, invest in the land and grow the hotel.

• Monthly reviews with all hotels in order to discuss monthly data and the strategies to improve performance
• Oversee hotel operations and work with senior hotel managers to make sure all is running smoothly in day to day operations
• Responsible for ensuring that property specific compliance requirements are completed including accounting and quarterly reporting of financial statements, requirements of ground lessors, third party lender requirements, local taxing, and zoning authorities. Also responsible for supporting both internal and external counsel, accountants, and other consultants in property specific issues that may occur.
• Participate in special projects that may include evaluation (due diligence) of properties for acquisitions or dispositions among other recurring and non-recurring events.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of all factors affecting hotel markets and submarkets
• Developing and implementing short-term, intermediate, and long-term strategies to improve the value of the portfolio of hotels

• At least 10 years of relevant experience in the hotel industry
• At least 3-5 years regional/general manager experience with 4 – 5 star International hotel brands
• At least 3 – 5 years experience in a regional/multi site hotel position
• Must have a clear strategy focus with a background in strategic hotel growth and development/finding new hotel locations that should be opened etc, as well as hotel operations experience
• Strong awareness of the hotel industry and growth markets
• Experience with lifestyle hotels is a plus
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent required with preferred course study/curriculum focused in finance, economics, or business; major in hospitality preferred
• Arabic nationals only

• Salary to be used as a guide only and will reflect experience levels and interview performance
• As a guideline up to 40k SAR per month/ $128k USD per annum total package